Elder Paul Felix Mooney, Sr.: Obituary

Elder Paul Felix Mooney, Sr., age 86, of the Quill community, in Gilmer County, passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born February 23, 1932 to the late Nalis Roosevelt Mooney and the late Rilla McClure Mooney. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by brothers James Tandy Mooney and N R Mooney, Jr, and by sisters Alice Waters, Lola Hunter and Lois Mulkey all of Ellijay. Surviving siblings are JoAnn Hill and Lemma Sanford of Ellijay and Hoover Mooney of Decatur. Also surviving is his wife of 64 years, Ethel Smith Mooney, children and their spouses, Debra and Danny McArthur, , Paul, Jr and Cindy Mooney, Diane Smith, Smitty and Donna Mooney, Keith and Melanie Mooney and Randy and Amy Mooney all of Ellijay. 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren also survive along with a large number of nieces, nephews and other family members.

Paul was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Germany during the Korean War. He had numerous jobs during his lifetime including electrician, sewing machine mechanic, farmer, manager of the apple packing house in Ellijay. He also worked for USDA and retired as a bus driver from Gilmer County School System after 16 years. In addition, he owned and operated a livestock processing facility, a grocery store in Ellijay and up until his illness ran Mooney’s Country Store. He served Gilmer County  on several boards including Gilmer County Equalization Board for several years. Except for 2 years serving in the military, he lived his entire life within 1 ½ miles of where he was born and raised. Folks stopping by his store could be treated to his vast knowledge of the people and history of Quill, Bucktown, Tickanetley and the surrounding communities.

Paul was an ordained Primitive Baptist Minister serving as Pastor of Fellowship Primitive Baptist Church in Fannin County for 26 years and Tickanetley Primitive Baptist Church in Gilmer County where he was a member for 68 years.

Services for Elder Moony will be held Sunday June 24,2018 at 2:00pm from the Tickanetley Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Kelly Smith and Elder David Smith officiating. Paul’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Burial will be in the church cemetery.  The North Georgia Honor Guard will perform military honors. The family will receive friends Saturday from 4:00pm until 9:00pm at the funeral home.

The Church has suffered the loss of their pastor, the family has suffered the loss of the family patriarch, and the community has suffered the loss of a patriarch and community historian. But in our loss he has gained his rest.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent for upkeep of the Tickanetley Church Cemetery, a cause Elder Mooney was passionate about. Please remit to Paul Mooney, Jr. 408 Moon Rise Trail, Ellijay Ga. 30536 C/O cemetery fund.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to everyone for their thoughts and prayers during daddy’s illness and to the church’s that added him to their prayer list.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.